Shipyard Says Completion Date for Long-Delayed CalMac Ferry ‘Challenging’

9th January 2022

Completion in Scotland of the first of two long-delayed CalMac ferries by the revised date of September will be “challenging”, with Covid cases likely to cause “significant” disruption this month. The first newbuild, Glen Sannox on the Clyde last month at the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow. Credit: The Scotsman-twitter

The completion of the first of two long-delayed CalMac ferries by the shipyard's revised date of September will be “challenging”, with Covid cases likely to cause “significant” disruption this month, a Ferguson Marine chief has told MSPs.

The Port Glasgow shipyard said the latest delivery date for Glen Sannox, earmarked for the main Arran route, remained between July 25 and September 25 – four years late.

But its turnaround director Tim Hair said in a report published today that was “achievable, but remains challenging”, and a planned increase in production in January and February was “critical to the achievement of this delivery schedule”.

He warned cases of the Omicron variant were increasing among staff, leading to more self-isolation.

Mr Hair said: “It seems likely that we will experience significant disruption in January and that, in turn, might result in lost productivity.

The Scotsman has more on the development.

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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